SAN SALVADOR-The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Improving Access to Employment program, and Grupo AGRISAL’s Hotel Division signed a memorandum of understanding for the training and employment of more than 200 youths during the first half of this year.

The training will enable youth to obtain immediate employment as assistant housekeepers, banquet services and customer service agents. The youth will be trained by specialists in hotel management, thus opening doors for future job opportunities in the thriving hotel industry. The training will be conducted by institutions with solid track records through El Salvador’s Professional Training Institute (INSAFORP).

The agreement was signed in the framework of the "Youth Committed–I Make a Difference" initiative of the USAID program, which helps young men and women between 18 and 26 years of age from low-income areas find jobs.

USAID’s Improving Access to Employment program is an important component of the Partnership for Growth, an agreement signed between the Government of El Salvador and the United States that seeks to increase productivity and reduce crime in the country.

With a total investment of $7,490,000 for the period 2009-2013, USAID’s Improving Access to Employment program is helping to improve labor market information available to students and other job seekers. It also supports the training and development of skills needed to improve the country's competitiveness in the global market.

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